Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-11
woODLAwN FARMERS CLUB.


tReported for AlcNundria GAzErrE.)
The June meeting of the Woodlawn Farm
ers Club was held at the residence of Dan.
iel Thompson on the 4th inst, President
Pierson in the chair.
When the minutes were read he stated
that the critical report of last.meetiDg con-
tained an error as to the cost of the wire
netting around his poultry yard, which
should be So for 800 instead OF $50 feet in
length.
The question was asked, "What ,is the
matter with the grass crop?" it is making
such poor growth. 1t was suggested that
perhaps the law Of compensation is at work,
that the rather dry weather of month ago,
together with the cool nights, was responsi.
bic for it.
w. w. Wright asked what breed of hogs
was considered best in this neighborhood
An exchange of views showed that no par
ticular breed was a favorte but that the Po-
land China rather had the preference. Near
ly all the breeds had been tried and the
different crosses used. Thoroughbred males
were recommended
M. Wright has been very successful with
Yorkshire boars and grade Poland China
sows.
F. A. Reed Of Alexandria, was present in
the interest Of fertilizer called "Phertis
ton" manufactured at Lynchburg, the base
OF which is tobacco stems, and it is claimed
TO be q powerful insecticide. The manu-
iacturers offer it to farmers by sackful on
trial
The question was asked, "How,late will it
do to plant corn ?"
A. w. Harrison said he had planted yel.
low corn which did not germinate until af-
ter the 4th of July and had it mature.
L. W. Blunt had the same result from
ninety-day white corn planted about the
same time.
The critical committee presented the fol-
lowing report, which being read, elected
some spicy comments. 1t was sent TO the
Ladies' Club also;
To the JV0odlacn Farmers Club:
Since our society met at this place, some two or
three years ago, quite q change has occurred, not
only in the appearance of the farm and its appur-
tenances, but in the family relations. II is true
that we are greeted this afternoon by the same
genial friends who so cordially welcomed us then;
but our especial hostess OF to-day then
blooming maidon, lust merging into full woman
hood. To-day she finds her congenial and appropri-
ate position among the noble band of matrous whom
she so warmly welcomes to her tastily arranged
and beautifully located home.
But best OF all, and with the cOmmendablc
pride of mother, she presents TO us that beauti-
iul pledge of affection between herself and the
terprsing man whom she has chosen FOR q life
long companion.
She has, with oil the true devotion and trusting
faith of her sex, assumed the care and response
blity of nurturing and rearing one whom we
sincerely hope will, in future years, prove not on.
ly all ornament TO society, but o rich blessing anC
a fountain Of comfort TO her parents
But here serious thought intrudes unbidden
into our minds. Should death spare this smiling
infant, and she attain to years of womanhood, be-
fore that period can possibly arrive mauy, if not
majority, of US will be sleeping that dreamless
slumber to which all mankind are irrevocably
doomed These remarks may seem foreign and
inappropriate by committee appointed merely
to examine and and report upon the condition of
and the mode of conducting farm. If they are
deemed impertinent to the subject we ask your
nardon and will proceed to make such amends as
we are capable of doing by briefly noting the most
salient points which havo come under our obser-
walton.
The beautiful location, unsurpassed perhaps
by any on this magnificent river, embracing, as it
does, Il splendid view of three large and prosper
GUS cities including the unrivaled capital of this
vast and powerful country, needs no comments
from us. 1t is fully apparent to the most casual
observer.
The farm contains less than a hundred acres,
and is mainly devoted TO milk dairying About
twenty we'll fed cows are now kept and we find
several very fine grade heifers, ranging from
few months to two years old which will soon
make valuable addition 10 the dairy. Four
good, strong horses show that they have not been
idle during the past spring.
We find young apple orchard sown with oats
and peas as an experiment for green feed for
COWS.
If we follow the teachings of pomologists, we
are forced TO condemn, not the experiment, but
the sowing of such crops in an orchard.
The wheat crop is looking fair, but we think
our host has been little too liberal With his fer
tilizers parts of it, as it is already badly
lodged and consequently, cannot fllproperly.
We note quite an area III potatoes which look
promising His new clover seeding is very fine,
and will yield heavy burden. In addition TO
the old peach orchard, quite an extensive new one
has been set which is looking fairly good, al
though it has not perhaps had quite as much at
tention given it as its proper growth required.
An extensive addition has been made 10 the
barn. in the basement of which we lind accommo-
datiops for thirty COWS and four horses, every
thing being done in the most approved modern
style. A new, iirmly-built silo, most convenient
" arranged to the stables, is awaiting the coming
crop of enslage. A new and improved feed cut.
ter is brought into requisition for preparing food
for the stock One of the most difficult problems
that our host has been called upon to solve was q
proper supply of water. After digging nearly g
hundred feet he was obliged to abandon that
method and resort to windmill power to force
water from near the river. In this he succeeded,
and has it very conveniently arranged for use at
the dwelling, for supplying the stock and cooling
the milk, to sid in which operation very neatly
constructed ice house is in close proximity to the
stables.
Our young host evidently believes in keeping
abreast with the spirit of the times, for which We
most heartily commend him and wish him all the
success that he so eminently deserves
a request was received from the secre-